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On the Demise of the Dollar
Oct. 6th, 2009 11:25 amhttp://www.consumerismcommentary.com/20
Aspirin Therapy: the latest science
Oct. 6th, 2009 08:43 amhttp://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic
Thoughts on Capitalism
Oct. 4th, 2009 04:40 pmThat's a hard question to answer. I believe Capitalism could work, just as Libertarianism could work, but there are things missing that make them unworkable, at least in America. Some years ago, there was a welfare system through which, for example, some people qualified for benefits. Such as a below-poverty to poverty level income, plus (in California) Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal provided full medical, dental and vision coverage to qualified applicants. Even though these and other "socialistic" programs existed, we still had the capitalistic system. This system began to be dismantled around the '80s, because what was missing in those in power was compassion, among other traits - or maybe it wasn't just that things were missing, but that unbelievable resentment, greed and hunger for power were present. So strong was the resentment ethic, that these people began spending large numbers of taxpayer dollars to punish the poor, prevent women who desired to raise their own children (on public assistance) from doing so, and putting people into employment where they did not necessarily belong. This was expensive punishment, on many levels. These things, along with the changes in medicine and health insurance, have been big factors in bringing us to where we are now. On the brink of disaster, because of greed, hunger for power, and resentment.
I am discouraged. I now think that we can't have Capitalism in America, because the people are not fit for it. Health care is the issue which will make or break the current system, and toward huge, fundamental change. It will be painful and deadly to many, but on the other side - a socialistic society, things may be better. Is it really necessary? Why do we have to have such suffering, pain and loss?
More on this over here - http://enders-shadow.livejournal.com/48
Logic Problem?
Oct. 4th, 2009 01:15 pmCan God make a stone so big that he can’t lift it?
This seems to cast doubt on God’s omnipotence.
But suppose he can create such a stone but simply hasn’t. Does that solve the difficulty?
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This question and "dilemma" supposes that God is a man, and brings to mind the implication that the biblical character of Jesus is God. I do not believe that, and consider the belief to be idolatrous. And I think Jesus would agree, as he knew who his God was. Jesus was a Jewish mystic and magician, whose God was the God of the Jews.
God is spiritual force, the power through which all is manifested. God is not a man, but Spirit.
I don't understand the dilemma presented, that this god has the ability to create such a stone but has not done so, and that this suggests that God is not omnipotent. My dilemma is trying to imagine God lifting, since that's something I think of a human being as performing.
Maybe this isn't about God at all, but simply a logic problem. I fail at it, due to my inability to grasp the basic assumptions.
Where will the health care battle lead?
Oct. 3rd, 2009 08:47 pm
I don't think this will move anyone who is opposed to health care reform, either, but health care has become a huge issue. It occurs to me that the refusal to provide health care for all, because of the level of corruption in America's particular version of capitalism, could well lead to the dismantling of that system. Health care for all does work for some countries, but it appears that it cannot work here.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/opini
Today's Books
Sep. 27th, 2009 12:15 pm
Added these to Amazon Wishlist today -
Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel: 100 Dirty Little Money-Grubbing Secrets - http://j.mp/leUZU
The Divine Right of Capital: Dethroning the Corporate Aristocracy - http://j.mp/7CyQo
Nice pair, eh?
On Omniscience
Sep. 27th, 2009 07:50 am
If God knows all things, then he knows what both man and he himself will do. So how is free will possible?
I don't understand the problem. Knowing isn't doing. The doer can be ignorant of destiny, but still makes a choice. However, the statement does invalidate prayer, which would explain why some people get their way and others don't. The successful pray-er doesn't have to pray. It could well be that what anyone does is irrelevant.
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Comments from my friend -
Under those conditions, the luckiest man in the world can be a complete imbecile
And he's destined to be lucky or something like that, but he won't know that, therefore he feels invulnerable or something like that - and everything he does is irrelevant. All his prayers have as much impact as the prayers of the unluckiest man in the world. How odd.
I want to break the spirits of people now, make them all feel irrelevant, make them all think everything is predetermined
Or maybe I don't want, and I have no choice but to do that. Muah hah hah.
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:P
It's not over 'til it's over...
Sep. 26th, 2009 10:57 pmI'm not a particularly forgiving person, and don't really understand the concept. But it occurs to me that I may not need to be, because of my own way of handling things. I was, for example, a target of psychological and emotional abuse for many years - the cruelty was astonishing, when I look back on it. The results of the actions against me are concrete circumstances that I can't change, and major personal/family relationships have been irrevocably altered. Along with that was a serious loss of financial potential. It's sad when I think about it, but I don't generally go around being sad. In fact, that is what triggered this writing. Sometimes I realize just how happy I am, and then I remember where I came from and where I've been. I could have been destroyed, if I handled things differently. I don't know if it's my nature, becoming anesthetized from ongoing cruelty, or a combination of both.
Those who did me intentional harm are mostly out of my life, some dead and others whom I would have very close and loving relationships with, had I not been a target. For me, that they are out of my life is the key to my peace of mind and ability to be happy. I haven't forgiven those who did me wrong, but I'm not a party to my own exploitation, either. While I may not think of it often, I have the knowledge of what was done, the motivation and the quality of the actors. One of them is reportedly very ill and could die. I don't wish him harm, but am half expecting to be recruited to his funeral - and as someone who likes to be prepared, I think of these things ahead of time. I've concluded that I do not expect to pretend that I haven't been done wrong, and don't intend to participate in any funeral. To do so would be to say that what was done to me was okay. It wasn't. And that's that.
The Psychology of Entitlement
Sep. 25th, 2009 01:30 pm
As far as being taught a sense of entitlement by how you are treated by your parents, I've seen both types of parental behavior have the same result. I know a girl with wonderful, loving parents who equate money with love to a degree, and the girl has become a user and manipulator because of it. Her parents have always been generous with her, and the result in this case is that money is what she sees her parents as good for. If she doesn't get her way (and she is an adult), she will quit speaking to her mother. Her mother was raised by generous parents, but appreciation is what she showed and felt. She thought she'd get the same by being the same kind of parent. This supports my belief that nature is the greater indicator of personality and character, not nurture. We choose how we react based on who we are.
I lived with a single mother who intentionally deprived me, partly to amass a fortune, but also because she resented me for other personal reasons. Nevertheless, I have quite a sense of entitlement, and don't see it as a bad thing. I have a sense of entitlement for others, as well, meaning I believe nobody should go without basic needs.
A very strong and ingrained earning mentality makes many people claim to have earned, when in reality, plenty was handed to them. More than once I've heard "I've worked for everything I have!" from people who indeed have worked, but got their break from an inheritance or the like. That part they fail to mention. Human nature in this society, I guess. Real earning takes many forms, and receiving welfare isn't limited to government payments. I don't see much difference between a person standing on the corner with a "Please help" sign, or a person twirling a sign for a business. If one is working, so is the other.
My husband grew up very poor. I grew up in a middle class home, but received only bare necessities. His mother took him school shopping and put items on layaway. I don't ever recall going school shopping, but I did go to a private school for a few years where uniforms were required. As adults, we've had very low incomes as well, but I am quite resourceful. I make the most of what we have, and we've had some breaks and found extra sources of income. My husband does the primary and standard earning, while I never have and never will have a standard, ordinary job. I am in no way cut out for that, and do much better doing my own thing. This means maximizing everything, and being aware and alert to all the opportunities I would never see if I were owned by an employer in his territory for eight hours a day. We have (management) rules at home and rules for the job, but we are the ones making them. One important principle is that of taking employment that does not cost you money, and the least amount of time outside of scheduled work hours. This means you work where you live, and as a rule don't spend money at the job. One doesn't go to work to diminish his finances.
I don't want a credit card!
Sep. 23rd, 2009 01:41 pmI use one particular bank/debit card for everyday expenses, both mine and those of someone else whom I shop for - I buy her groceries etc, and she pays me with a check when I deliver. This means that I go make a deposit at this bank approximately once a week. Too many times lately, the tellers have offered me a 3.9% interest rate credit card. They tell me I am "pre-approved". I always decline, but yesterday the teller who finds it amusing that I refuse credit was a bit pushy about it, encouraging me to apply just to see what happened. I think she thinks I want one, but don't trust myself or something. Frankly, I am steamed about it, because it makes me think of how I feel about the credit bureaus and the US system of credit. One of my other banks has offered me a card on a couple of occasions, but they take no for an answer and tell me that I'm smart. That makes a big difference to me!
These are the reasons I don't want credit cards:
1) I don't need credit. I don't buy what I can't afford, and will never be willing to pay interest on anything. Not a house, not a car. There is no such thing as good debt. I know I can use the bank's money and pay in full when the bill comes, but the perks of any card are not enough - except maybe the Schwab cashback credit card. However, that one is somehow affiliated with Bank of America, which I'm not willing to do business with.
2) Getting a credit card means putting information in credit reports at the credit bureaus. I believe that credit bureaus should not exist, and that they are a major reason for the existence of identity theft. Because I refuse to provide information to the credit bureaus to "validate" my identity, I cannot get a free credit report. However, just about any Tom, Dick or Harry can get my report, as long as it isn't me. There was a time some years ago when I did access my credit reports, and there is false information on it. I kind of like that. I don't want to correct it. I like having info on it that is not valid.
Credit Karma is pretty cool. I CAN get my credit score there, just for fun and info.
This bank has served me well for a long time, and I'm not getting rid of it. When I got screwed a couple of times by online businesses, the bank refunded me, so I lost nothing. It is also one of a few that began repaying the government bailout money as soon as possible. I think it is relatively strong, although it's probably safe to say that all banks are a gamble right now. I do have an idea it's one of the better ones.
So what am I going to do? Change which bank I use for everyday expenses, so that I don't have to make frequent deposits. I do change from time to time anyway.
It sounds good, but...
Sep. 22nd, 2009 08:56 pm-Baba Ram Dass
http://j.mp/2OTMR
This is true for some people, but I don't see it as a rule. Power-hungry people tend to eat, and are always seeking food. They get it. And the most ravenous of them would die if their supply got cut off.
My life has become somewhat disjointed, which is why short spurts have been suiting me. It's hard to find the time to be long-winded, though mentally I am all that.
I have much more exploring of this site to do, as far as customizing and learning about all the features. But I have a good feeling about it.
